Natural Healing With Eucalyptus Essential Oil

About Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a plant that has over 700 different species. They can be found mostly in Australia and Tasmania. However, they have been known to be found in small areas in Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and Taiwan. With so many different species, the Eucalyptus plant can also be found in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, China, India, Africa and the Mediterranean. Eucalyptus trees are fast growing trees, and their wood has been used by researchers and environmentalists. The trees have a wonderful smell and come in many different shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, they have a tendency to kill the other plants around them because they grow so fast. They can grow to be shrubs around 10 meters (33 feet) tall or very tall trees than can reach heights of 60 meters (200 feet). They like to grow next to water and springs. Since this kind of tree is quite abundant in Australia, the inhabitants use it as a source of timber. They are also homes to Koala bears and possums. Along with these animals, many insects, birds and bats enjoy eating off of the eucalyptus trees for the nectar it produces. The trees also help preserve topsoil. It helps to fight diseases in the ground. Some of these species are called gum trees because they produce sap from the bark. Gum trees sometimes drop their branches unexpectedly.

Eucalyptus is an environmentally valuable product to Australia. The Aborigines used the eucalyptus tree for medical purposes and timber as well. Since this tree has many species around the world, other countries many not benefit from its sources like the Australians do. It may do more harm than benefit to the environment. It could destroy the native trees in the area causing the country to lose its environmentally valuable trees. Fortunately, Africa and the Peruvian Indies have made this a cash crop. They also grow very well in the States of Oregon and Washington and some parts of British Columbia, Canada.

However, if grown in the right places, the eucalyptus tree can be very beneficial and helpful to many people. Many species of eucalyptus trees have aromatic oil that can be used for many everyday things. The oil is taken out from the leaves and stems through steam distillation. This oil is used for alternative medicine and can be found in many products. The antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties can be found in many family products. The pulp from the tree has been known to be used for papermaking as well.